San Millán de la Cogolla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Millán de la Cogolla
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 San Millán de la Cogolla
Location in La Rioja, Spain
San Millán de la Cogolla
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  La Rioja |
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| Province | La Rioja | ||
| Comarca | Nájera | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 31.19 km2 (12.04 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 728 m (2,388 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 222 | ||
| • Density | 7.118/km2 (18.43/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Emilianenses | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
26326
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| Website | http://www.sanmillandelacogolla.es | ||
San Millán de la Cogolla is a small town in La Rioja, Spain. It is famous for its two old monasteries, Yuso and Suso. These monasteries are so important that they were named a World Heritage Site in 1997. In 2009, about 293 people lived there. The number of people living in the town has become much smaller over the years.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Cogolla comes from an old Latin word, cuculla. This word means "small hill" or "hilltop." It was often used for high places that were good for defense. This was especially true during the time of the Reconquista, a long period when Christian kingdoms took back land from Muslim rule in Spain.
The other part of the name, San Millán, comes from a saint named Saint Emilianus. He lived in this area in the 6th century.
Birthplace of Spanish Language?
San Millán is believed by some to be where the Spanish language began. This is because a very old book, called the Glosas Emilianenses, was found in its monasteries. This book has some of the first written words in an early form of Spanish.
Also, the town is close to Berceo, which is linked to Gonzalo de Berceo. He was the first Spanish poet whose name we know.
Languages Spoken Here
Today, people in San Millán speak Spanish. However, some local place names come from the Basque language. The Glosas Emilianenses also show that in the past, people in this area spoke Basque alongside an early form of Spanish.
A Look at History
In the Middle Ages, the monastery in San Millán owned a lot of land. It also benefited from being on one of the paths of the Camino de Santiago. This was a famous route for pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela.
Impact of War
The monastery and the area around it faced hard times during a civil war in Spain. This war was between Peter of Castile and Henry II of Castile. A big fight, called the Battle of Nájera, happened nearby in April 1371.
This war also affected the small Jewish community in San Millán. In 1369, King Henry II ordered that everyone, including Christians and Moors, should pay back their debts to the Jewish community quickly. This was so the Jewish community could pay their taxes. However, in 1371, the king later said that the abbot and monks of San Millán did not have to pay back any debts they owed to the Jewish community after the Battle of Nájera.
Notable People from San Millán
- Juan de San Millán
- Antonio Segura
- María de la O Lejárraga
- Leandro Nieto Bolandier
- Joaquín Peña
- Tarsicio Lejárraga
See also
In Spanish: San Millán de la Cogolla para niños
